§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if hospitals and other NHS facilities used not-in-kind refrigerants. [86168]
§ Mr. DenhamInformation from which to estimate the total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if National Health Service bodies used not-in-kind refrigerants is not available centrally.
The Department is fully supportive of the Government's commitment to running its operations and buildings in accordance with best environmental practice as an integral part of its contribution to the United Kingdom's sustainable development strategy.
The NHS is making good progress in achieving the 20 per cent. energy efficiency improvement targets from the 1991–92 base year to March 2000, as set by Green Ministers. Additionally, progress is being achieved against the wider Government objective (agreed as part of the Kyoto Protocol) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008–2012, with a domestic target of 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.